Madden 20 Ratings: All the best left guards (LG) in franchise mode (PS4 & Xbox One)


The offensive line can often be a forgotten entity when building a team on Madden.

Gamers focus on finding the fastest players they can to make splash plays, or on the best pass rushers and cornerbacks to crush opponents. But without strong offensive line play even the best quarterbacks can struggle.

The left guard spot has played home to some of the toughest players in history, with names like John Hannah and Larry Allen entering the Hall of Fame after dominating there. While the current crop may be a little shy of Canton, there are still quality players at that position who can give you firm footing for a dominating run game or a secure pocket to throw from.

Who are the best guards in Madden 20's franchise mode?

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Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (88 OVR)

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+ 7

Age: 26

Best Stats: Run Block Power (90), Pass Block Power (89), Awareness (89), Strength (88), Run Block (88), Pass Block (88), Run Block Finesse (87), Impact Block (87)

Ali Marpet was drafted in the second-round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 and almost immediately stepped into the starting offensive line at right guard. He played their for two years before moving to center and then in 2018 to left guard. He had arguably the best season of his career last year, and is now the best left guard in Madden.

His basis for that is a very well balanced set of blocking skills. His run block (88) and pass block (88) are leveled with his impact block (87) to create the kind of player that can dominate in the trenches. His strength (88) is good enough to hold up against big defensive tackles and his awareness (89) is strong enough to pick up blitzes and see stunts.

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Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts (87 OVR)

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+ 7

Age: 23

Best Stats: Strength (97), Impact Block (92), Run Block Power (88), Lead Block (88), Run Block (86), Pass Block Power (86), Run Block Finesse (85), Pass Block (84)

Quenton Nelson was the sixth-overall pick for the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 and was an immediate force at the heart of an improved offense. Nelson's vicious attitude and superb technique led him to a remarkable season in which he received a Pro Bowl invitation and was named to the First Team All-Pro.

In Madden 20 Nelson is incredibly strong (97). With that comes impressive run block power (88) and pass block power (86). His impact block is remarkable (92) and his lead block (88) makes him an incredible weapon on pulls and screens. 

Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns (86 OVR)

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+ 7

Age: 27

Best Stats: Pass Block (91), Pass Block Power (90), Pass Block Finesse (88), Strength (86), Awareness (86), Impact Block (85), Run Block Finesse (82)

A second-round pick for the Cleveland Browns in 2014, Joel Bitonio has been with the Browns in the dark times and now looks set to help lead them into the light. He started all 16 games as a rookie, being in the blessed position of playing and learning between two All-Pro players in Joe Thomas and Alex Mack. Since their departure from Cleveland Bitonio has become the leader up front and won his first Pro Bowl invitation last season.

In Madden 20 Bitonio is an excellent pass blocker (91) with the power (90) to resist the stronger defensive tackles. His run block (80) is a good deal worse, but it isn't exactly terrible, while his impact block (85) is strong.

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Joe Thuney, New England Patriots (84 OVR)

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+ 7

Age: 26

Best Stats: Strength (88), Pass Block (87), Pass Block Finesse (87), Awareness (87), Run Block Finesse (84), Pass Block Power (84), Lead Block (82), Run Block (82)

Joe Thuney was a third-round pick for the Patriots in 2016 and has developed into one of the best blockers in football thanks to the tutelage of legendary line coach Dante Scarnecchia. He started at the left guard spot as a rookie and was a superb piece of the offense that has claimed 2 Super Bowls in that time.

Thuney's strength (88) is good, and his prowess is in pass blocking (87) and finesse blocking (pass 87, run 84). His run block (82) is solid, but his lead block (82) and impact block (81) are not amazing, making it tough to run directly behind him.



Andrew Norwell, Jacksonville Jaguars (84 OVR)

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+ 7

Age: 27

Best Stats: Awareness (92), Pass Block Power (88), Strength (87), Pass Block (86), Pass Block Finesse (85), Impact Block (85), Run Block Power (83)

Andrew Norwell went undrafted in 2014 and joined the Carolina Panthers, where he started 9 games and was an easy starter in his season season. By 2017 Norwell was a stellar player, winning a spot on the First Team All-Pro and a massive five-year, $66.5 million free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Norwell's pass block (86) and strength (87) are his best traits. That shows with his pass block power (88) but doesn't come up as much as you'd like with his run block (81). Norwell's awareness (92) is very high, meaning he won't get caught off guard with a twist or cross in front of him.

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Rodger Saffold III, Tennessee Titans (83 OVR)

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+ 7

Age: 31

Best Stats: Run Block Finesse (92), Awareness (92), Run Block (89), Impact Block (88), Strength (87), Run Block Power (87), Lead Block (81)

Rodger Saffold was a second-round pick for the St. Louis Rams in 2010, where he started every game at left tackle for them. He struggled with the blind side edge for a few years before moving inside and slowly building confidence and skill. By 2017 and the arrival of Sean McVay he was a competent guard, and with his physicality and experience he was a key part of their Super Bowl run last season before making a free agency move to Tennessee.

In Madden 20 Saffold is a strong run blocker (89). His Awareness (92) is key to his play up front, while his run block finesse (92) and power (87) make him near-flawless in the run game. Unfortunately, his pass block (78) is not as strong but it also isn't a liability.

Ramon Foster, Pittsburgh Steelers (82 OVR)

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+ 7

Age: 33

Best Stats: Awareness (91), Impact Block (89), Strength (88), Run Block Power (85), Run Block (84), Pass Block Power (83), Pass Block (82)

Ramon Foster went undrafted in 2009 but quickly caught on with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He wasn't the #1 left guard for them until 2011 but once he was he quickly became a very solid and dependable part of the Steelers line, which in the last few years has become one of the best in the NFL.

In Madden 20 Foster is well balanced blocker, with his run (84) and pass (82) block very close. He has impressive strength (88) which plays in his impact block (89). His awareness (91) is good too.

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Player
Team
Age
OVR
STR
PBK
RBK
Ali Marpet
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26
88
88
88
88
Quenton Nelson
Indianapolis Colts
23
87
97
84
86
Joel Bitonio
Cleveland Browns
27
86
86
91
80
Joe Thuney
New England Patriots
26
84
88
87
82
Andrew Norwell
Jacksonville Jaguars
27
84
87
86
81
Rodger Saffold III
Tennessee Titans
31
83
87
8
89
Ramon Foster
Pittsburgh Steelers
33
82
88
82
84
Kelechi Osemele
New York Jets 
30
81
93
83
73
Ron Leary
Denver Broncos
30
80
87
77
85
Frank Ragnow
Detroit Lions
23
79
92
79
83
Quinton Spain
Buffalo Bills
28
78
86
81
78
James Daniels
Chicago Bears
21
77
84
80
79
Will Hernandez
New York Giants
23
77
95
77
80
Laken Tomlinson
San Francisco 49ers
27
75
87
76
81
Richie Incognito
Oakland Raiders
36
75
92
80
70
Pat Elflein
Minnesota Vikings
25
74
88
74
75
Cordy Glenn
Cincinnati Bengals
29
74
92
76
67
Mike Iupati
Seattle Seahawks
32
74
90
68
79
Alex Lewis
Baltimore Ravens
24
73
85
73
74
Andrus Peat
New Orleans Saints
25
72
87
71
76

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